A Chesapeake man has been sentenced to five months in prison after pleading guilty to breaking into a post office and stealing keys that could open multiple mailboxes.
Lee Vann Tyner shattered glass at the Jolliff Station post office in June 2024 and took postal keys, according to court records. Investigators found small brown envelopes with addresses and mailbox numbers, indicating Tyner intended to use, sell, or dispose of the keys.
Tyner was arrested a few days later at a gas station. Authorities discovered in his SUV multiple Georgia driver’s licenses, mail, credit cards, debit cards, and Social Security cards belonging to other people.
Frank Albergo, National President of the Postal Police Officers Association, explained that stolen arrow keys can access blue collection boxes, apartment panels, cluster boxes, PO boxes, and green relay boxes, affecting potentially thousands of victims.
“Those arrow keys open every mail receptacle in a given zip code. It’s like having the key to the city. Mail theft leads to stolen banking information and compromised identities,” Albergo said.
Improvements in postal security have been recommended by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, including better tracking of keys, enhanced maintenance mailbox security, and recruitment safeguards to prevent criminal participation by postal employees.
Tyner received credit for time served and will be on probation for two years following his release.
